PULLMAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

2008

ANNUAL REPORT

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Ø      Broken Jaw Assault

On January 21 a Korean-American student was assaulted at Stubblefield’s bar (also known as Mike’s Bar) on Colorado Street.  There was significant public interest in this assault because of the possibility that the incident was racially motivated.  In February, at the request for a member of the Commission for Asian Pacific American Affairs a meeting was held at Washington State University.  The incident was fully discussed by the victim.  Subsequently a reward was offered by private persons for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.  The investigators were able to locate a photograph of the crowd at the time of the assault and were able to establish that the actions of one person in that crowd were of such a nature that this individual is a person of interest.  Unfortunately the photograph shows the back only.  At year’s end no suspect was identified.

Ø      Emphasis on Party Trash Enforcement

Trash problems during and after parties continued to be a problem on College Hill.  While Steve Murphy, code enforcement official in the Parks Division, attempted to deal with the problem, timeliness of enforcement was a problem because Steve does not work during the hours when the offenses begin.   Beginning in February Sergeant Sam Sorem took initiative to have a police emphasis in enforcing the ordinance dealing with trash.  The results were impressive including residents cleaning the trash up very early in the morning and landlords getting involved.  18 infractions for nuisance trash violations were issued in 2008, all of them on the shifts that Sergeant Sorem supervised.  In addition, it was not unusual on weekend mornings to find residents who had parties the night before cleaning up the trash, at times upon the arrival of a police officer.  Sergeant Sorem’s leadership in this area was recognized within the Department at mid-year. 

Ø      Bomb Squad Call Out

On March 25 a citizen reported a suspicious suitcase type object.  Upon visual examination and using digital photographs sent to the regional bomb squad in Spokane a determination was made to treat the contents as potentially dangerous.  The bomb squad responded to Pullman and using the robot determined that the contents were not explosive.  Personnel from Washington State University also assisted in identifying the contents.  Investigation revealed that relatives of a person who was deceased had cleaned out contents at a residence of the deceased and had decided to throw away the case and contents.  The contents were appeared to have been used as part of the deceased’s education endeavors.

Ø      Sexual Assault Arrest

In March of 2004 a burglary and rape occurred at a residence on Wheatland Drive.  Physical evidence was obtained including fingerprints and DNA.  There were no fingerprint matches at the time.  Hover in 2007 Bert Mageo was arrested on a criminal charge in western Washington.  Upon being convicted he was fingerprinted and his prints were matched to the fingerprint evidence collected at the scene of the burglary and rape.  On May 30 a warrant was issued for Mageo and he was arrested for the crimes and booked in the Whitman County jail on June 3.  Subsequently a DNA match was made in the crime, linking Mageo to the scene.

Ø      Another Broken Jaw Assault

On September 6 at Stubblefield’s bar (also known as Mike’s bar) a male was assaulted after a short exchange of words.  The victim felt that the assault may have been racially motivated.  A forensic artist was called in and a sketch of the suspect was released to the media.  At year’s end no suspect had been identified.

Ø      Gender Based Harassment

In the evening hours of October 26 a male reported being harassed by a person who chased him to the victim’s vehicle where the victim sought refuge.  The culprit used verbiage that met the definition of a gender based crime.  As of October 30 a forensic artists sketch was made of the suspect and released to the media and public at a joint City Council/ASWSU meeting.  Other gender based attacks were reported on the WSU campus within a few days of this incident but the crimes could not be determined to be related.  No suspect has been identified in this crime.  Mayor Johnson issued a proclamation on October 30 “that acts of violence against any member of our community based upon race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual preference or orientation, physical or mental disabilities and social, economic, or cultural background are not to be tolerated and such acts will be aggressively investigated by the Pullman Police department”. 

Ø      Sexual Assault Conviction

In the early morning hours of September 13, 2007 two males entered the Kappa Alpha Sorority and sexually assaulted a female who had been asleep prior to the attack.  The suspects fled down a fire escape.  The investigation revealed that the two suspects had committed burglaries at the Delta Gamma and Pi Beta Phi sororities.  Based on tremendous cooperation from the fraternity and sorority members a suspect was identified and arrested on September 14.  Subsequently a second suspect was identified and on September 17 a warrant was issued for his arrest.  The second suspect turned himself into the custody of Pullman police officers in Pullman on September 19.  Christopher Jack Reid was convicted of rape on October 24 and sentenced on December 5 to life in prison but eligible for parole in 9 years.  Kyle M Schott, Reid’s accomplice plead guilty earlier in the year and was sentenced to 13 months in prison.

Ø      Suspicious Device Attached to a Bridge

On September 23 two youths discovered a device attached to the bridge crossing the South Fork of the Palouse River at Spring Street.  Digital photographs were forwarded to the regional bomb squad in Spokane.  A review of the device and wires was a mystery.  Being unable to find anyone who could account for the device a Pullman police officer, trained to recognize improvised explosive devices in the military, approached the device and retrieved information that led to the identification of the device as a graduated student’s experiment regarding pollution.  The bomb squad did not have to respond.

Ø      Intoxicated Hit and Run Driver

In the very early morning hours of December 5 an intoxicated male left the Zeppoz parking lot, struck a curb and blew out a tire but continued to drive on Bishop Boulevard to Professional Mall Boulevard where several vehicles were struck and a trailer in a trailer park.  He then drove onto the pedestrian/bicycle trail, striking a bridge and then proceeded off the trail onto SR 270 driving to Moscow where he was stopped by Moscow police and arrested for driving under the influence.  He is facing seven counts of hit and run in Pullman.

Ø      Sexual Assault on Valley Road

In the early morning hours of October 7, 2007 a female, on foot, had become lost and was approached by a male who offered to help find her friends.  The suspect lured the female into an apartment and sexually assaulted her.  The female was able to escape and fled to a street, was assisted by citizens who transported her to the Pullman Police department.  In April 2008 the Pullman Police department was advised of a positive DNA match with Fousseyni Kone who currently lived in Alaska.  A warrant for Kone was obtained and he was arrested by Alaska authorities and extradited to Washington in October 2008 and was booked in the Whitman County Jail.

ACTIVITIES

Ø      Sexual Assault Forum

Council member Waldrop became very involved in community awareness and was instrumental in providing a report at the November 6, 2007 City Council meeting on the issue of sexual assault in Pullman, to include Washington State University.   On February 7 a Sexual Assault Forum was held in the City Council Chambers and was televised on Channel 13.  Chief Weatherly was one of the members of a diverse panel that spoke to the issue and answered questions from the audience.  Other members of the panel were Chris Wuthrich, Assistant Director of WSU Officer of Student Conduct; Christine Wall, Executive Director of Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse; Anna Nofsinger, RN, Pullman Regional Hospital; Cassandra Nichols, Psychologist, WSU Counseling Services; Byron Bedirian, Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office; Angie Jeffries, WSU Student Representative; and Gregg Hooks, Chair of Sociology WSU and panel moderator.   The forum was attended by approximately 60 persons from a broad spectrum of the community.  Feedback on the forum and televised portion was very positive.

Ø      Fighting Ordinance Adopted

On April 8 the City Council adopted ordinance 08-06, the “fighting ordinance”.    Violation of the ordinance is a civil infraction and involves causing, involving or engaging in any fight, brawl or other violent or threatening behavior.  In addition the ordinance prohibits any act which tends to create or incite, or in fact creates or incites, either a violent response and/or an immediate breach of peace.   First offenders are fined $250.  Subsequent offenses require a mandatory court appearance and a minimum $500 fine and a maximum of $1,000.  Since adoption of the ordinance in April, fifteen infractions were issued for violations by the end of 2008.

There are a number of variables that were proposed to be used to measure the impact of our effort to control fighting.  I identified those variables in a memorandum discussing the 2007 Council adopted goal #7 that stated:

Consider adopting public safety ordinances including an open container ordinance, an ordinance on fighting, etc.

Those variables are reported assaults, reported disorderly conduct incidents and reported citizen dispute incidents.  Below are the annual numbers from 2000 through 2008:

ASSAULTS

2000      2001      2002      2003        2004        2005        2006        2007        2008

95         97           105          133          115          114          134           134         254

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

2000     2001      2002       2003        2004        2005        2006        2007        2008

96         91          125         165          134          174          203           203         137

CITIZEN DISPUTES

2000    2001      2002        2003        2004        2005        2006        2007        2008

99        81          86            64            55             68            81            100          81

Ø      Itinerant Vendor Ordinance

On July 8 the City Council adopted ordinance 08-10.  The ordinance states “No person, corporation, partnership or other organization shall engage in the business of an Itinerant Vendor within the City limits without first obtaining a permit from the Pullman Police department.  If any individual is acting as an agent for or employed by an individual, corporation, partnership or other organization, both the individual and the employer or principal for whom the individual is acting must obtain a permit as provided in this chapter.”  The ordinance requires that the Police department determine the accuracy of the information contained in an application and conduct a criminal history background investigation of the applicant within fourteen (14) days of the application being completed. The Chief may approve or deny the application.  The permit is valid for only ninety days.  Two permits were issued in 2008.  One magazine sales group was deterred because of the ordinance and said they were just going to move to another community.

Ø      Citizen’s Academy

Budget savings again allowed a Citizen’s Academy to be provided.  Commander Tennant was in charge of this academy.  The academy began September 24^th and ended December 3rd.  This year only 6 citizens attended the academy.  The academy was held on Wednesday nights and some Saturdays. 

Ø      Amber Alert Day

            Charlene Jasper, owner of The Daily Grind and Licks contacted the police   department in the spring to offer an “Amber Alert Day” at Licks.  School Resource Officer Mike Crow coordinated the event and approximately 135 families participated in the child identification event on June 7.

Ø      Business Registration Ordinance

On August 26 the City Council approved Ordinance 08-14 requiring commercial businesses to register in Pullman for public safety reasons.  The effective date is July 1, 2009.  The City will partner with Master Licensing Service to implement the registration.  The police department will administer the registration.

Ø      Riverwalk Parking Lot Permits

On September 16 the City Council adopted Ordinance 08-16 establishing the sale of permits for the easterly 60 parking spaces in the Riverwalk parking lot.   Businesses may purchase up to five permits.   The permit allows parking in the lot between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 a.m., Monday through Friday and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.  This was a change in the number of parking spaces allowed for permits that had been approved on August 12 in Ordinance 08-12.  The sale of thirty permits under the first ordinance occurred in approximately 30 minutes with 9 businesses participating.  As of the end of the year 60 permits had been sold to a total of 18 businesses.

Ø      Emergency Communications Advisory Committee

In March 2006 the Whitman County voters approved a one-tenth on 1 percent sales tax to assist in funding emergency communications.  The sales tax receipts began in July 2006.  Chief Weatherly was appointed for a two year term on the committee.  Upon expiration of Chief Weatherly’s term in 2008 he recommended that Commander Tennant be appointed to the committee.  The basis for this recommendation is the planned retirement of Chief Weatherly and continuity of this position is critical to the needs of Pullman.  Commander Tennant was appointed as a member of the committee replacing Chief Weatherly.

Ø      Emergency Management

A review of the of the City’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) was begun in 2008.  The review and a completed revised plan is anticipated at the end of 2009.  While the snowfall in Pullman in 2008 was record breaking both in early 2008 and the latter part of 2008, the melt off was such that no flooding occurred either time.  However, department heads reviewed flood responsibilities and procedures.  Public works personnel took necessary measures to reduce flood problems in the downtown area.  In September an Airport Disaster Drill was conducted with involvement by police and fire departments from Pullman and Moscow.

Ø      Fireworks Enforcement

A new fireworks ordinance took effect in 2006.  The emphasis on fireworks is education and enforcement.  The Fire and Police departments worked together to provide education in the form of public service announcements and media releases.  Below is the result of the enforcement efforts during the Fourth of July holiday period.

Ø      DUI Cost Recovery

Based on City Council direction a DUI cost recovery affidavit process began in October 2006.  DUI Cost Recovery Worksheet Affidavits for non adjudicated cases were prepared and submitted for reimbursement (upon conviction).  In 2007 there were 108 DUI cases and 101 DUI Cost Recovery Worksheet Affidavits were submitted.  2 cases were unfounded and 5 others should have had DUI Cost Recovery Forms done.  In 2008 there were 156 DUI cases and 156 DUI Cost Recovery Worksheet Affidavits were submitted. 

Ø      Open Container in Public Ordinance

City Council adopted 2007 Goal #7 was “consider adopting public safety ordinances including an open container ordinance, an ordinance on fighting, etc.” On August 21,2007 the City Council adopted ordinance 07-18 (City Code Chapter 5.55) prohibiting any person to consume any beer, wine or any other intoxicating liquor, or have in his or her possession any opened containers or receptacles containing any beer, wine or any other intoxicating liquor on any sidewalks, streets or public place within the city or in any vehicle parked or moving on public streets, or at any other place within the city other than a private residence or upon premises licensed for the sale and consumption of beer or liquor or upon premises whereon beer or intoxicating liquor is sold by a license under the laws of the state.  The first violation is a fine of no less than $250 and a second and subsequent violation is no less than $500.  In 2007 officers had enforced 11 violations of this ordinance.  In 2008 officers enforced 21 violations of the ordinance.  My observations during the fall indicate that people are aware of the ordinance and the numbers of open containers in public appear to have diminished.

Ø      DARE Interlocal Agreement with Pullman School District

When Officer Sanders left the department the Police Advisory Committee recommended that a review of the DARE program be undertaken with the Pullman School District.  In the early spring the review was completed and the School District expressed the desire to continue with the program.  Officer Mike Crow had been appointed the School Resource Officer position and subsequently received DARE teaching certification.  He determined that DARE America required an interlocal agreement with the local school district before the DARE curriculum was taught.  The Council authorized the agreement on October 14.

Ø      Residential Rental Unit Registration

On October 18 the City Council passed Ordinance 08-19 requiring residential rental unit registration.  The registration will take place at and be administered by the police department. Registration is required beginning July 1, 2009.

Ø      Photograph Montage

For several years the department has had a goal to “develop a police employee photograph montage to be placed in a hallway for viewing by the public.”  Digital photographs were taken in 2003.  Design of the frame for the montage was not completed in 2004.  The photographs turned out not to be the desired quality for such an endeavor.  In 2007 funding for a professional photographer to accomplish this objective were budgeted.  Photographs were taken and frames were provided. In 2008 the photograph montage was installed in the upstairs hallway. 

PERSONNEL

Ø      Strategic Staffing Concept

On August 28 Chief Weatherly presented to the City Council a report entitled Pullman Police department Strategic Staffing Concept.  This report contained references and included Chapters on Studies, Citizen Input and Response Issues, Subjective Employee Input, Variables in Consideration of Police Staffing, Police department Structure and Operation, Turnover of Staffing, Equipment and Supply Considerations for Additional Staffing, Recommended Staffing Priorities and Funding of Priorities. 

Chief Weatherly recommended creating a position of parking enforcer for downtown parking only in 2008.  He then recommended a three year staffing concept.

The parking enforcement position for down town parking was approved by the City Council on July 8 and was classified as a Code Enforcement Officer I.  Gary Labusohr was hired for this position on July 21. 

The City Council did not act on other recommendations in 2008.  Those recommendations were:

Year 1: Add three or four police officers.  Once one of these additional police officers is trained then assign a police officer from patrol to special operations unit to handle fraud cases.  This creates an addition of two police officers for patrol.  The fourth police officer would be utilized if an agreement for funding for a SRO is reached with the school district.

Year 2:  Add four police officers.  Once these additional police officers have been trained, assign one officer as a traffic enforcement/day shift beat officer for patrol on College Hill. Promote a police officer to sergeant and begin assignment of the patrol administrative sergeant. This creates three additional police officers and one patrol sergeant for patrol for a total of four police officer assigned to patrol from the base year.  Add a civilian training and programs specialist and institute a police cadet/police reserve program.

Year 3:  Add three police officers. Once these additional police officers have been trained, assign one police officer from patrol to special operations unit as a retail business liquor and gambling enforcement officer.  Then assign one officer as a traffic enforcement/night shift officer. Add a civilian crime prevention specialist/investigative assistant.  Test for police lieutenant and at the end of the third year convert the special operations sergeant position to a lieutenant position.

Ø      Commissioned Police Officers

On February 1 Officer Ernest Sanders left the department to take a job with a larger western Washington Agency.  Officer Mike Crow was selected to assume the School Resource Officer position on March 17, replacing Officer Sanders.

On March 3 Officer Brandon Koe was hired to replace the commissioned position left vacant with the departure of Officer Rohrbach (who left in 2007).

On March 22 Officer Brian Dentler terminated employment with the department.

On May 1 Officer Carl Bell ended his tour as a College Hill Beat Officer.  He was very popular with the college students in the Greek Row area (his beat).  On July 1, 2004 he was assigned as the South College Hill Beat Officer.  Officer Bell’s work with the Washington State University students resulted in unprecedented respect from College students.  Officer Bell gave out his cell phone number for students to call, established a “Facebook” site so people could contact him electronically, spent hours beyond his scheduled duty time to work with students and intervened in numerous situations to quell potential conflicts between students, between students and Washington State University and between students and City Officials.  It was not uncommon for persons having issues with the police to ask for Officer Bell. 

As the years progressed, the reported law violations on the North College Hill Beat declined, particularly noticeable to officers in 2007 and early 2008.  The “Senior Golf” event, which had grown into a major crowd problem, was non existent by the spring of 2008 in great part due to Officer Bell’s efforts.  Cooperation with all police officers increased from 2004 through the spring of 2008.

Near the end of the spring semester of 2008 Officer Bell announced that he was ending his assignment as a beat officer.  There were newspaper articles on the Daily Evergreen and The Pullman/Moscow Daily News in reference to his ending the assignment, a representation of his impact with both the WSU student body and the broader community.  Washington State University students, Washington State University staff and Pullman police staff members have given accolades to Officer Bell.  Officer Bell was recognized by the department for his leadership in this assignment.

On May 9, Detective Rick Peringer was off duty and was a pedestrian in a crosswalk at Main and Grand when he was struck by an automobile and hospitalized.  Detective Peringer was to retire at the end of May and had competed for a civilian position of Property and Evidence Specialist, a vacant position created when Jayme Turnbow left the department for another job.  He retired at the end of May and assumed the civilian position in June.

On June 5 Officer Mark Eley left the department to take a job with a larger western Washington Agency. 

On July 15 Officer Corey George was hired to replace the commissioned position left vacant with the departure of Officer Sanders.

On July 16 Officer Terry Chamberlin was hired to replace the commissioned position left vacant with the departure of Officer Dentler.

On July 17 Officer Ryan McNannay was hired to replace the commissioned position left vacant with the departure of Officer Eley.

On July 18 Officer Shane Emmerson was hired to replace the commissioned position left vacant with the retirement of Officer Peringer.

Ø      Code Enforcement Officers

Sharon Schnebly was hired on March 3 replacing the vacancy left when Jayme Turnbow left to accept the position as property evidence custodian in 2007.  On July 21 Gary Labusohr was hired as a Code Enforcement Officer I and his duties are primarily to enforce parking in the downtown area.  Elizabeth Schaeffer and Sharon Schnebly were reclassified as Code Enforcement Officers II.

Ø      Support Services Personnel

On May 1 Records Specialist I Sharon Herbert left the department as her family moved out of the area.

On May 11 Property and Evidence Specialist Jayme Turnbow left the department to accept another position in another city. 

On June 1 Rick Peringer was hired as a Property and Evidence Specialist replacing Jayme Turnbow.

On July 7 Stacey Graham was hired as a Records Specialist I filling the vacancy left when Sharon Herbert left the department.

Ø      Professional Reserves

By the end of 2008 Richard Huggins the volunteer “Emergency Management Planner” one psychologists and one chaplain were the only persons in the professional reserve program.  These individuals had little active participation in the program in 2008.  As was stated in the 2007 annual report consideration is being given to replacing the professional reserve program with a “Citizens Emergency Response Team”.

In the Pullman Police Department Strategic Staffing Concept (2007) Chief Weatherly addressed the professional reserve program stating:

 The Pullman Police department has a program called “Professional Volunteers”.  While the program has fostered interest from citizens over the years, including police chaplains, in recent years the program has waned.  The professional reserves have helped with projects such as domestic violence follow up, delivery of death messages, assisting with victims of tragic events and volunteer professionals assisting in hostage negotiations.

In addition, discussed in the report were coordination issues.

“If police departments are to maintain and improve their service capabilities police administrators are justified in giving greater attention to the use of civilian specialist personnel as a realistic and economical alternative.”[i]  The use of volunteers, cadets and reserve officers is very important to the community and police department.  Experience in coordinating programs has led to the conclusion that coordination is important and requires focused energy, time and commitment.  Through the years commissioned police officers have performed functions including coordinating citizen academies, coordinating reserve officer training and assignment, coordinating block watch, coordinating ride-a-longs, coordinating professional reserves and general public programs. 

Finally, the report recommends a civilian training and programs specialist.

The individual in this position would also coordinate citizen academies, coordinate a police cadet/reserve officer program, coordinate WSU interns,  a citizen emergency response team (CERT), and special events such as parades and the Lentil festival.  Block watch issues would be placed under Special Operations.  The position is anticipated to provide significant reduction of time commitments by the police operations commander, sergeants and police officers.  In addition continuity and consistency of these functions will show great results.

Ø      Police Advisory Committee

Members of the Police Advisory Committee at the end 2008 were: 

In 2008 there were 9 meetings.  Among items discussed were:

Ø      Constituencies issues (at each meeting)

Ø      Digital highway billboards

Ø      WSU student’s Facebook party invitation issue

Ø      Newspaper delivery vehicle issue

Ø      Holiday burglaries

Ø      February 7 sexual assault forum

Ø      Snow removal

Ø      Women’s transit

Ø      University district proposal

Ø      Fighting ordinance

Ø      New WSU police chief

Ø      Citizen survey results

Ø      DARE issues

Ø      New school resource officer

Ø      Downtown parking enforcement

Ø      Animal licensing

Ø      Lentil festival participation

Ø      Bishop Boulevard project report

Ø      Concealed weapons issues

Ø      Alcohol in parks

Ø      Bicycle registration

Ø      Graffiti removal

Ø      Televised committee meetings

Ø      Parking on Larry Street for high school football games

Ø      Extended bar hours issue

Ø      Koppel farm gardens vandalism

Ø      Citizen’s complaint

CITY COUNCIL GOALS

Below are the 2008 goals that involved some or all police department resolution:

  9.       In the interest of public safety, continue to explore the creation of a business registration program that includes rental housing and continue to pursue options with WSU relating to the creation of an off-campus housing office.

STATUS:

            Much activity took place regarding this goal in 2008.  In addition to the discussions earlier in the year, on April 8 the City Council conducted a public meeting on business registration.  Discussions were subsequently held on a draft business registration ordinance at City Council meetings on May 6 and May 20.  At the City Council meeting on June 24 the City Council discussed an itinerant business ordinance.  On July 8 the City Council adopted an itinerant vendor ordinance and fee schedule.  On August 12 the City Council held a discussion on business registration and rental registration.  The City Council adopted a business registration ordinance and fee schedule at the City Council meeting on August 26.  The City Council adopted the residential rental unit registration and fee schedule on November 18.  With respect to the creation of a WSU off-campus housing office, much progress was made on this issue as well.  WSU agreed to develop the office and to launch a voluntary off-campus rental inspection program which will be known as Cougar Choice housing.

11.       Consider adopting an emergency snow removal and street cleaning ordinance to address the problem of parked vehicles that impede snow and gravel removal efforts.

STATUS:

            A discussion of snow removal took place at the City Council meeting on October 21.  At the City Council meeting on November 18 the City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the Public Works Director to declare a snow emergency and have vehicles removed from the streets. A snow emergency was declared on December 18. Parking restrictions were implemented on December 23 on one street (Irving Street) with mixed results due to the WSU winter break.

14.       Consider the installation of surveillance cameras at key critical intersections and high risk public locations with the use of grant funding.

STATUS:

            Officer Don Heroff was assigned to light duty in June and researched the goal.  His research identified several high activity locations/needs for the surveillance cameras and those are as follows:

Intersections

            Colorado Street at Monroe Street

            Colorado Street at "A" Street

            Colorado Street at "B" Street

            Colorado Street at "C" Street

            California at Monroe Street

            Grand Avenue at Stadium Way

            Grand Avenue at Davis Way

            Grand Avenue at Main Street

Fixed Locations

Adams Mall North parking lot

Special Deployment

Needed for specific location short term problems

Issues yet to be addressed include the following:

Hardware

Identifying the surveillance camera outdoor capabilities, camera quality and options such as pan and zooming

Identifying the storage system and capabilities (how long does the video data stay stored and how is it retrieved)

Capability for use on computers in the police patrol vehicles

Infrastructure

Question of using hardwire or wireless or a combination thereof

Before pursuing the various alternatives and related costs, Chief Weatherly requests feedback on the Council's response to locations.  If no further locations are identified or deleted, then costs, funding alternatives and an implementation plan will be developed but this will require more time and mid-2009 appears to be a realistic date for presentation of the results of this goal. 

16.       Review existing ordinances and their enforcement.

STATUS:

            A code enforcement meeting was held on August 19 with code enforcement staff from various city departments.  The City Attorney conducted considerable research on various city enforcement codes prior to the meeting.  A subsequent follow-up meeting with code enforcement staff was held on November 5. 

18.       Review and act upon the recommendations of the Planning Commission and staff relative to downtown parking.

STATUS:

A discussion of downtown parking was held at the City Council meeting on April 8.  A public meeting on downtown parking issues was held at the City Council meeting on July 8.  At the City Council meeting on July 8 the City Council also passed a motion to create a new Code Enforcer position to enforce parking in the downtown area and elsewhere.  At the City Council meeting on August 12, the City Council passed an ordinance regarding the Riverwalk parking lot.  At the City Council meeting on September 9 a report was presented on the sale of Riverwalk parking permits.  Public concerns were raised by downtown businesses pertaining to the cap of 30 on the number of permits being sold within the 76-space Riverwalk parking lot.  At the City Council meeting on September 16 the City Council passed an ordinance raising the number of downtown business permits from 30 to 60.

ACTIVITY

In 2008 there were 10,643 police calls for service.  Police calls for service include officer-initiated calls, which involve police action with the exception of routine traffic activity and miscellaneous citizen contacts.  There were 2,114 officer case reports (that required specific clearance codes), 346 cases submitted to the prosecutor for charges, 802 physical custody arrests, 549 criminal citations (in lieu of physical custody arrests), and 139 city code violations.

There were 773 notices of infractions issued in 2008, a majority being traffic infractions.  In addition, officers issued 3,197 traffic warnings.  In relation to the parking enforcement downtown not that in just 5 months of 2008 the numbers of infractions for overtime parking is more than double that of the previous two years

Ø                  Parking Enforcement Statistics